How to Watch the First 2019 Democratic Debates Online for Free—Even Without Cable
The 2020 race for the White House gets underway in earnest this week, as the first official Democratic presidential primary debates are held. It’s the first chance for many of the hopefuls to make a first impression—and in a field this large, that’s especially important.
There are so many Democrats running for President right now that the debates are being held over two nights, each featuring 10 candidates.
The first debate, which will be held Wednesday June 26, will feature candidates including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Cory Booker. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders will take the stage the following night.
Got questions about the debate? We’ve got answers.
When are the first Democratic debates in 2019—and what time do they start?
Dates: June 26 and June 27
Time: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET (both nights)
Location: Miami
Which TV channels are airing the first Democratic debates?
NBC is hosting this round of the debates, meaning you can tune into NBC, MSNBC, and Telemundo on your cable or satellite system.
How can I watch and stream the first 2019 Democratic debate online for free—even without a cable subscription?
There are a number of online options to watch the debate, some of which require a subscription (or you’ll need to sign up for a free trial).
Free options include: NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, and the NBC News app, which will all simulcast the debate. Telemundo’s digital platforms will as well.
Other options include:
Sling TV: You’ve got a seven-day free preview before the monthly fees, which range from $25 to $40, kick in.
PlayStation Vue: The free trial is 14 days long. Subscription packages start at $45 per month.
Hulu with Live TV: You can try the service free for a week. After that, you’ll pay $45 per month.
YouTube TV: After a seven-day trial, you can expect monthly charges of $40.
Who will be onstage for the first Democratic debates of 2019?
Night 1: Wednesday, June 26
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.)
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-N.Y.)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.)
Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro (D-Texas)
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii)
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)
Former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.)
Night 2: Thursday, June 27
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Del.)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.)
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-Ind.)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.)
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang (D-N.Y.)
Self-help author Marianne Williamson (D-Calif.)
Who didn’t make the first Democratic debates?
If you’re supporting Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Mont.), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Mayor Wayne Messam (D-Fla.), or former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska), you’re out of luck. None of them met the minimum criteria for the debates and won’t be onstage.
Who is moderating the Democratic debate?
NBC is sending its heavyweights:
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt
Today coanchor Savannah Guthrie
Meet the Press host Chuck Todd
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow
Noticias Telemundo anchor José Diaz-Balart.
When is the next Democratic debate?
The Democratic candidates will assemble once again on July 29 and July 30—but must meet a new set of qualifications. Overall, there will be 12 Democratic primary debates before the election, with six scheduled for this year.
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—4 times 2020 candidates clashed during the Democratic debate
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—What the 2020 Democratic candidates didn’t say during the first debate
—Elizabeth Warren holds her own as lesser-knowns break out in first debate
—Julián Castro breaks out in a debate defined by border policy and immigration
—Can socialism win in 2020? Democrats aren’t embracing it
